6 Best Touchscreen Gloves (2026) Knitted, Waterproof, Leather, and More

The biting wind whipping off the Hudson River can make even a brisk walk feel brutal, but fumbling with a frozen smartphone screen adds insult to injury. Thankfully, a solution as simple as a pair of gloves has evolved far beyond the bulky mittens of yesteryear. Today’s touchscreen gloves allow New Yorkers to stay connected without sacrificing warmth—a small comfort that can make a big difference during a long winter. Finding the right pair, however, requires navigating a surprisingly crowded market. After extensive testing in 30- to 40-degree Fahrenheit weather, here’s a guide to the best touchscreen gloves available in 2026.

The evolution of gloves from cumbersome mittens to individually wrapped fingers represents a significant upgrade in personal comfort and dexterity. But traditional gloves have long been at odds with our reliance on smartphones. The awkward dance of stabbing uselessly at a touchscreen before awkwardly removing gloves to make a call or send a text is a familiar frustration for many. Fortunately, advancements in material science and fingertip technology have paved the way for gloves that seamlessly integrate with our digital lives. These gloves, as tested by Wired, offer a range of options for New Yorkers seeking warmth and connectivity.

Before selecting a pair, it’s worth adjusting your phone’s sensitivity settings. For Android users, this involves navigating to Settings > Display and touch > Touch sensitivity and toggling on Increased sensitivity. iPhone users should explore Settings > Accessibility > Touch and experiment with Haptic Touch or 3D & Haptic Touch settings, as well as options within Touch Accommodations. Wired details these adjustments, recognizing that even the best gloves benefit from optimized phone settings.

The key to a good pair of touchscreen gloves lies in the material and fingertip technology. While all options incorporate conductive elements, their effectiveness varies considerably. The Glider Gloves, for example, utilize conductive copper woven into the yarn, allowing for accurate and responsive interaction across the entire hand. Moshi’s Digits offer warmth and comfort with a knitted design, while Kent Wang’s leather gloves provide a more polished aesthetic. For those needing maximum dexterity, The Heat Company’s fingerless gloves offer a clever fold-over mitten design, and Venustas’ heated gloves provide an extra layer of warmth for the coldest days.

Best Overall Touchscreen Gloves: Glider Gloves

The Glider Gloves stand out as the best overall option, offering a balance of control, accuracy, and comfort. The Canadian manufacturer’s use of conductive copper yarn ensures responsiveness across the entire hand, allowing for effortless swiping, pinching, and zooming. You can tap and swipe with any part of your hand, pinch to zoom, and use all your fingers, not just the tips. The gloves also feature a soft brushed interior and textured silicone grip sections, enhancing comfort and preventing slippage. While they lack the thickness needed for extreme cold and are not waterproof, their accuracy and comfortable fit make them ideal for everyday use. Sizes tend to run small, but they loosen up with wear, allowing for precise typing. These gloves are popular and often sell out.

Best Knitted Gloves: Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves

The Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves are a solid choice for those who prefer the feel of knitted gloves. They are warm and comfortable, with effective touchscreen capabilities so you can use all your fingers and thumbs—I can type quite accurately with these gloves on. Moshi includes rubber strips in a wavy pattern to enhance grip, which is crucial because the knitted fabric is slippery. Unfortunately, the inner microfleece lining sometimes separates from the knitted outer layer. The weave is also quite loose, and my pair began to fray after I caught a finger on something during a snowball fight. (They’re not great for snowballs either.) If you want them to last, keep them dry and look after them.

Best Leather Gloves: Kent Wang Deerskin Touchscreen Gloves

For those craving a classic style, Kent Wang’s Deerskin Touchscreen Gloves offer a polished aesthetic and durable construction. They come in black, dark brown, and tan, suitable for the office or any outfit. The deerskin leather is wrinkle-resistant, durable, and treated with a touchscreen-friendly layer that the manufacturer promises won’t wear off. These gloves work well with touchscreens, but it took me some practice to type because of the seams at the fingertips. You will want a snug fit for best results. These gloves are also comfortable and cozy, with a lovely cashmere lining (that explains the price). They can cope with rain or the odd snowball.

Fingerless Options for Maximum Dexterity: The Heat Company Heat 2 Softshell Gloves

For those who require maximum dexterity or frequently use fingerprint scanners, fingerless gloves offer a compelling alternative. The Heat Company’s Heat 2 Softshell Gloves are a standout option, featuring fold-over mitten sections and magnetic thumb covers that allow for precise thumb exposure when needed. They are wind- and water-resistant, with goatskin leather palms and long cuffs to keep you cozy. But what I love about these gloves is the two-fold-back sections, a mitten top to cover your fingers (with a pocket for a hand warmer), and a separate thumb cover, with sewn-in magnets to keep them out of the way when open. I often use my thumb to unlock my phone and both thumbs to type, so the option to only expose my thumbs is ideal. These gloves are decently warm, but if it’s especially chilly, they can be combined with the

Heated Gloves for Extreme Cold: Venustas Heated Gloves

In colder climates or for individuals who struggle with cold hands, heated gloves provide a welcome solution. Venustas’ Heated Gloves offer three heat settings, activated by the color light-up button on each glove. The cozy fleece lining is very comfortable, they are adjustable for a tight fit, and they have a nonslip palm. The fingertips work well for tapping and swiping on a touchscreen, but they’re chunky, so typing is tricky. There’s also a plastic clip for joining them together when they're off, so you never lose one. The big catch is that each cuff has a zipped compartment to store a battery, and you’ll have to remember to charge them. The lowest heat setting can last up to 10 hours, but it wasn’t warm enough for me in the biting wind of my daily coastal walk, and you only get three hours from the high setting.

Other Touchscreen Gloves We Tested

Some of the touchscreen gloves we tried fell short of a recommendation for one reason or another.

Marcus's Take: Beyond the Gadget

The proliferation of touchscreen gloves speaks to a larger trend: our increasing dependence on technology, even in the face of harsh weather. While these gloves offer a practical solution to a modern problem, it’s worth reflecting on the broader implications. The constant connectivity they enable can, at times, detract from the simple pleasures of a winter walk – observing the snow falling, enjoying the crisp air. It’s a reminder that even the most convenient gadgets shouldn't come at the expense of mindful presence. The emphasis on comfort and functionality in these gloves also mirrors a broader cultural shift toward prioritizing practical solutions and personal well-being. As families navigate the challenges of modern life, small comforts like a reliable pair of touchscreen gloves can make a significant difference in daily routines, allowing for greater efficiency and connection.

Resources and Further Information

For those seeking more information on touchscreen technology and phone settings, Android’s official website provides detailed guides and troubleshooting tips. iPhone users can find similar resources on Apple’s support page. Local retailers, including those in the city's electronics districts, offer a wide selection of touchscreen gloves and accessories. Residents interested in supporting local businesses can find a directory of shops on the NYC Chamber of Commerce website.

Families facing financial hardship can explore assistance programs offered by local charities and government agencies. Information on available resources can be found on the NYC Department of Social Services website.

Ultimately, the best touchscreen gloves are those that provide warmth, comfort, and reliable functionality—allowing New Yorkers to embrace the winter season without sacrificing their connection to the digital world.